I was listening to a song this morning on the way to the hospital. It said "some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers." It got me thinking and emotional. I believe God answers ALL prayers, maybe not how we would like it to be answered, but He does answer them! I know that while pregnant I prayed for a healthy child...We got Gavin with many health issues, but I know that he is one of the greatest gifts I've been given and I thank God for him! I think Gavin is in our lives for a very special reason! He has brought so much to so many already! We are all struggling with this, but God has a plan for Gavin, You and Me. I am honored that God has given us this opportunity to become more focused on Him. He is using this situation to do good and I continue to trust in His plan!

Also, so many of you have said things to me such as, "You are so strong, incredible, a wonderful mother, etc." While I do appreciate this and it makes me feel good, I know it is only through the grace of God that I am surviving this! I am amazed at the peace I feel and know it comes from Him! Thankfully I know this or I might be getting quite a Big head with all your thoughtful comments! They do help brighten my day! God is using you to keep our family strong and at peace! Thankyou!

Gavin is having a peaceful day and just hanging out. They are trying to keep him at a good level of sedation so that he feels free from pain and anxiety(especially with the vent tube down his throat.) We are still waiting to hear from Dr. Bove on whether or not additional work on his mitral valve is an option. I'll let you know when I find out.

Have a great day! I'm doing much better and am at peace with the situation.

Love, Alicia

Well, you will be glad to know I am swimming again(although only treading, still swimming.) Thank God in your prayers tonight for our favorite nurse, Missy! She came and gave me a breath of fresh air when I didn't feel I could do it on my own! She listened, gave me more information and even said she'd give me some of Gavin's sedation medications if I end up needing them!(I asked!) So, I am feeling more at peace with the situation. There may be other options, such as medication, that could be attempted first if surgery isn't an option right now.

God always steps in when we need him! Today it was Missy, yesterday it was Nicole and everday it's you guys,who we know are praying for us and supporting us! We are so blessed!

Just wanted to let you know I'm feeling better! I'll be in touch later. THANKYOU!!!

Love, Alicia

Well, I officially feel like I'm sinking. I know that God has a plan and I continue to know He will get us through this, but I want to go home and have Gavin doing well! It has been a difficult couple of days. Yesterday I told you that there is a possibility of another surgery. I was praying that he would not need one then, but today that option sounds better than others that were given. So, today I am praying that surgery to repair the valve is an option. If the surgeon feels that this can't be done, then the only other option they see is to give him a tracheotomy and to be on a vent at home until surgery is an option or other problems he has(lungs,etc.)clear up. We won't really know more until the cardiologist can talk with Dr. Bove tonight. He is out of town today. Please pray that surgery can be done and that the valve can be repaired enough to get Gavin off the ventilator and home again!

Gavin is doing well today. They are just trying to keep him comfortable until they have more information.

I'm sorry to bring you down, but these are the facts. I know God will bring us all through and it will make us stronger and more reliant on Him. He is in control and knows best!

Thankyou for your continued prayers and support! Hopefully I'll have better news tomorrow.

Love, Alicia

Gavin really must like it here! Today he hasn't had the best day. Poor little guy! He gained a lot of fluid in his lungs and is having a harder time breathing, so they had to up his vent settings and his sedation meds. He had us a little scared this morning. But, he is doing fine now. They have been taking him off his dieuretics, which keeps fluid off him, and then he has these episodes every week. They have decided to keep him on them and hopefully this won't keep happening.

They also did an echocardiogram to see if the leak in his valve has gotten worse. They didn't think it was much different, but are taking the findings to the surgeon to see if further tightening of the valve would be good. So, another surgery may be needed. We'll just have to wait and pray!

So, needless to say it has been a discouraging day, but thankfully our great friend, Nicole/"aunt" Nicole, is here to support me today! I would probably be sobbing on the nurse's shoulders otherwise.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support! We really appreciate you all! We know God will sustain us through this time and that He is using you to help!

Love, Alicia

The gang is all here! Gavin and I are enjoying our visit from Joel, "the boys", Grandma D., Aunt Jill and Uncle Mike! Gavin is especially enjoying his big brother Caleb's visit. They were "playing" pirates together with sound effects and all!

Gavin is doing very well today. He is down quite a bit on the ventilator and they even did one practice run without any breaths from the ventilator. They said he did well, but will most likely be on the vent until Monday or Tuesday. They are starting him on a medicine (a vasodialator) to help lower the pressures through his pulmonary artery. This should help get him breathing better on his own.

Thanks for your prayers! Have a great weekend!

Love, Alicia